Station for disinfecting publicly-used equipment

Abstract

A device for disinfecting publicly-used equipment includes a plurality of reflective units disposed along the interior of each wall of the device. Each of the reflective units can include a reflective back section and at least three reflective sections disposed about the reflective back section. UV lamps can be disposed to extend along the walls, and at partially disposed adjacent to a one or more reflective back sections of the reflective units. The UV lamps together with the reflective units collectively direct sufficient UV light on the equipment such that the equipment can be disinfected. The walls and ceiling of the device define a tunnel into which the equipment to be disinfected is inserted. Optionally, the device can include a door to prevent children and others from entering the tunnel while the UV lamps are illuminated.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of preventing accidental exposure to UV light when disinfecting publicly-used equipment, comprising:
 providing a tunnel sized and dimensioned to receive the publicly-used equipment, wherein the tunnel has first and second reflective units disposed on first and second walls of the tunnel; 
 providing the tunnel with a UV light source; and 
 providing electronics that are configured to prevent operation of the UV light source upon detection of movement or a living object within the tunnel. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein each reflective unit has a reflective back section and at least three reflective sections disposed off normal with respect to the back section. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a door that is configured to inhibit entry of a user into the tunnel. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the electronics are configured to prevent operation of the light source until the door is closed to at least a defined threshold. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the door comprises a window configured to filter UV light emitted by the first UV light source. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a second UV light source. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second UV light source is disposed perpendicularly with respect to the first UV light source. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the shopping cart is fully inserted within the tunnel. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the electronics are further configured to prevent operation of the UV light source if the shopping cart is not fully inserted within the tunnel.